This is one Frank McHugh autograph—not a multi-signed photograph—and that distinction makes the piece better, not smaller. McHugh used both sides of a 1927 Lambs Club “Gadshill” Dickens-sketch cast photo as a personal cast key, naming or discussing DeWolf Hopper, Walter Catlett, Reginald Barlow, Al Shean, Harry Beresford, Junior Durkin, Loren Raker and others before signing “Best Wishes / Frank McHugh.”
The names written across the image identify performers rather than represent separate autographs. On the reverse McHugh pairs several people with Dickens characters, including Sam Weller, Mr. Pickwick, the Artful Dodger and Barnaby Rudge, and notes absent players Rollo Lloyd and Horace Braham.
The front identifies the scene as “Gadshill,” a Dickens sketch at the Lambs Theatre or Lambs Club in New York in 1927, and credits Joseph Santley and Walter Catlett. The Lambs is the country’s oldest professional theatrical club; its surviving records and memorabilia document the private creative life of American theater.
The photograph brings together generations of stage talent. DeWolf Hopper was a former Lambs Shepherd and the performer who made “Casey at the Bat” famous; Walter Catlett later became a prolific Broadway and screen comedian. Their names belong to the photographed cast, while McHugh remains the only signer offered here.
New York Public Library records place McHugh on Broadway throughout the 1920s before he became one of Warner Bros.’ most reliable supporting players beside James Cagney and Pat O’Brien. His films later included Footlight Parade, The Roaring Twenties, Going My Way and Mighty Joe Young.
McHugh explains on the reverse that DeWolf Hopper obtained the photograph at The Lambs while McHugh was in New York, then says he thought the recipient might like to have it. That first-person history is the heart of the object and is preserved in full.
Heavily handled original photograph with edge and corner chips, short tears, creases, surface rubbing and scratches, scattered spotting, and old tape or adhesive residue with paper disturbance along the upper edge. Handwritten cast labels cross the image as part of its history. The reverse has extensive writing in dark and faded inks, toning, staining and handling wear. McHugh’s “Best Wishes / Frank McHugh” remains clear. Both sides should be inspected closely.
Important image note: images depicting the autographed item sometimes appear different in tone from each other. Some were manually photographed as contorted closeups to make the handwriting as clear and legible as possible. Otherwise, all images are scanned at 600dpi.
I've never believed in collecting for it's own sake. Collectors items should be shared and circulated. I grew up among my entertainment heroes of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and am now selling-off some of the treasures I accumulated as a fortunate young man in 1970s Tinsel Town.
The autographs I'm selling here have never been on the market before.
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